The Central Kitsap Fire and Rescue Board of Commissioners voted unanimously Feb. 9 to ask voters to continue to support an emergency medical services levy.

The levy would pay for emergency medical services such as personnel costs, training, equipment, structures and vehicles needed for providing emergency care.

CKF&R pointed out the the levy is not a new tax, but a renewal of a currently existing tax. The current EMS levy was approved by 74 percent of voters in 2009.

An election will be held within the district on April 28 on the matter. The continuation of the levy would be in the form of a regular property tax in the sum of 50 cents per $1,000 assessed valuation each year for six consecutive years.

The cost to a homeowner with a median valued home in Central Kitsap of $240,000 would be $120 per year.

The levy requires a simple majority to pass. CKF&R stated that if the levy were to fail then they would have to re-evaluate their budget and their priorities. Money collected during 2015 from the EMS levy constitutes 21 percent or $3.4 million dollars of the district’s operating budget.

The EMS levy puts a comprehensive emergency medical program in place, but it does not cover the cost of ambulance transport, typically $599 to $1,100 depending on the level of patient care that is required.

Insurance plans typically cover 80 to 100 percent of ambulance transportation costs, the district stated.

There is never a charge for dialing 911, the district pointed out.

CKF&R covers a service area of 115 square miles and a population of 68,716 people. It has a staff of 96 employees and also has 70 volunteers.

Learn more about the district online at www.ckfr.org or at www.facebook.com/pages/Central-Kitsap-Fire-Rescue-Official-Site/.